American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) named Debra Johnson, MD, its new president during its recent Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. In addition, Paul S. Cederna, MD, was named president of ASPS’ Plastic Surgery Foundation.
Johnson, a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices in Sacramento, California, currently serves as vice-president of health policy and advocacy for ASPS and is the co-chair of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) legislative committee. Her prior positions include past president of the Sacramento Society of Plastic Surgeons and former chief of surgery for Sutter Community Hospitals, according to healio.com.
Not only is Johnson the second female president of ASPS, she also has the distinction of reportedly being the first female plastic surgeon to practice in the Sacramento area when she joined The Plastic Surgery Center in 1989.
“Over the next year, I will lead ASPS in its ongoing effort to inform the public about the breadth of procedures in plastic surgery, as well as the overwhelming importance in seeking a board- certified plastic surgeon,” Johnson states.
“I’m honored, as the second woman president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, to enter upon my presidency,” Johnson adds. “I’ve always been proud of the work done by my colleagues in advancing patient safety and positive outcomes, and I’m eager to play an even more active role in leading us in that endeavour. I’m going to be standing on many shoulders this year, and I hope to leave a legacy equal to that of my predecessors.”
